I just got back from
my first medical mission.
I went as part of the
I went as part of the
International Children's Heart Foundation
(ICHF)
In Guayaquil, Ecuador
It was more challenging
than I EVER could have imagined.
In Guayaquil, Ecuador
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| Guayaquil from the Hotel |
than I EVER could have imagined.
 |
| The Hospital |
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| During one looooong case we improvised with an NG tube and I drank some much needed sugar! |
It was a lot to get used to:
-working in a less-than, state-of-the-art facility
-working very, very, long hours
- in foreign language
-with people from around the world
-Including local people with varying amounts of knowledge and understanding.
Despite these challenges,
It was
also very rewarding.
It wasn't all work and no play either
As a team,
we made the most of our, limited, time off.
We even took a trip to the beach.
(Las Playas, Ecuador)
It wasn't very sunny but the southern pacific ocean was nice and warm!
-working in a less-than, state-of-the-art facility
-working very, very, long hours
- in foreign language
-with people from around the world
-Including local people with varying amounts of knowledge and understanding.
 |
| Some of the ICHF Team! |
 |
| The Canadian Nurses! |
It was
also very rewarding.
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| Some of the kids and their parents at the Farewell party! |
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| A very happy family! |
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| Such a nice and happy patient! |
 |
Another happy patient!
|
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| Another happy patient and Momma! |
As a team,
we made the most of our, limited, time off.
We even took a trip to the beach.
(Las Playas, Ecuador)
It wasn't very sunny but the southern pacific ocean was nice and warm!
 |
| Heading to the beach! |
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| Coconuts for sale!:) |
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| The Team chill axing! |
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| Las Playas, Ecuador |
Beach front walk, Las Playas, Ecuador
During our beach trip
we had a beautiful, casual, seafood lunch:
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| Cheers to Ecuador! |
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| So yummy! |
We also saw an orchid garden/ green house
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| Beautiful Orchids! |
One evening
we finished our day in the early evening and took advantage of this:
Sightseeing
we finished our day in the early evening and took advantage of this:
Sightseeing
Downtown Guayaquil.
Compared to the area our hospital was located
It is very, very nice!
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| Downtown Guayaquil |
The Riverfront walk is especially beautiful!
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| Monument on the riverfront walk |
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| Me on the Riverfront walk, Guayaquil |
The old hilly section of Guayaquil was my favourite!
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| I love the colourful houses and windy streets! |
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| Me and two ICHF team members! |
To get to the top of the hill
we had to climb many stairs...
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Each corner was more beautiful than the next!
 |
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| My lovely team members and tour partners |
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| Yen, Angela, Louis, and Darby |
On top of the hill
was a lighthouse, a quaint church, and beautiful view of Guayaquil.
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| Hill top, Guayaquil, Ecuador |
This mission was an experience!
It challenged me in many ways, but I feel better for it.
Seeing the kids feeling, oh so much, better was wonderful
And
I was lucky to meet many wonderful team members
whom I hope to work with again sometime soon!
Currently
I am home in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
(For about two weeks)
And
Dorthy said it right
"There's no place like home"
